Cilla Black

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Alternative Title:
Priscilla Maria Veronica White

Cilla Black(Priscilla Maria Veronica White), (born May 27, 1943, Liverpool, Eng.—died Aug. 1, 2015, Estepona, Spain), British singer and TV personality who was one of Britain’s top pop vocalists in the 1960s, with two number-one hit ballads in 1964, “Anyone Who Had a Heart” (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David) and “You’re My World” (an English version of the Italian song “Il Mio Mondo”), as well as hit covers of such songs as “It’s for You” by the Beatles and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” co-written by Phil Spector. Black’s distinctive voice, infectious smile, and bright red hair (“from a bottle” she cheerfully admitted)—combined with her working-class roots, Merseyside accent, and scouse catchphrases, such as “lorra lorra laughs” and “ta-ra, luv”—made “Swinging Cilla” a national favourite for decades. Black attended secretarial school and worked part-time as a cloakroom attendant at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, where John Lennon and Paul McCartney heard her sing; Lennon suggested that their manager, Brian Epstein, take her on as a client. Her debut single, “Love of the Loved” (1963), was the first of her many songs written by Lennon and McCartney. In 1965 Black was invited to record a new Bacharach and David song as part of a promotional campaign for the soon-to-be-released film Alfie, starring Michael Caine. Reluctant to take the assignment, she made what she considered impossible demands: Bacharach himself had to do the arrangements and fly to London to play the piano and conduct the recording session. He agreed to all of her conditions, and Black’s recording was used to publicize the film, though it was not used in the sound track. A frequent TV guest, she starred on her own variety show, Cilla (1968–76), and served as the presenter on Surprise Surprise! (1984–2001) and Blind Date (1985–2003). Black’s autobiography, What’s It All About?, appeared in 2003. After Black’s death the CD/DVD career compilationThe Very Best of Cilla Black (2013) became the first of her many albums to reach number one on the charts. She was made OBE in 1997 and was the recipient of a special BAFTA award in 2014.